The Last Broadcast
by Doves
  • Record Label: Heavenly
  • Release Date: Jun 4, 2002
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Shows a refreshing rawness that was absent before.
  2. Pitchfork
    80
    An album that's full of drama, without the tiresome excess.
  3. PopMatters
    90
    Surpassing the merits of Lost Souls, one of the best albums of 2000, is no mean feat, but to do it in such breath-taking fashion is something else, something special.
  5. Uncut
    100
    Doves have delivered, with honesty and affection. All other guitar bands this year will seem like a scratchy sideshow. [Jun 2002, p.110]
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  6. Mojo
    80
    Last Broadcast is visceral, pulsing, uplifting, widescreen but has none of the bluster that would tip its forbears into self-parody. [May 2002, p.108]
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  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    Imagine 'Lost Souls' injected with Prozac and a huge dose of weird guitar noises that give you goosebumps from head to toe. That's 'The Last Broadcast'. It's one of those rare albums that makes sense first thing in the morning but you can still yell along to when your head's exploding.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    The darkest feel-good record of the year. [14 Jun 2002, p.100]
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  9. Alternative Press
    90
    This is a dazzling and haunting disc. [Aug 2002, p.74]
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  10. Magnet
    80
    A damn good sophomore effort. [#54, p.86]
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  11. Austin Chronicle
    89
    There's not a bad spot on the album, 12 tracks that taken as a whole make up the most exhilarating UK rock album in years.
  12. Billboard
    70
    The overall result lacks the ebony-hued cohesiveness and experimental flair of the debut set.
  13. Dot Music
    90
    This is music designed to fill arenas - possessed of a consistent quality and vision, a head, a heart and soul - that simply leaves the competition trailing in its wake. An utter triumph.
  14. Playlouder
    80
    Most of these songs sound like they're taking down whole walls of your average sonic cathedral and replacing them with huge stained-glass windows with a billion pieces in a hundred thousand colours that sparkle like angel's tears when the sun hits them, like. Yes, it is a bit evangelical. It's reverent.
  15. E! Online
    83
    Rich with melody and drama, even the band's experiments--like adapting King Crimson's "Moonchild" into the lush "M62 Song"--work.
  16. Neumu.net
    80
    The Last Broadcast is big, intelligent, irony-free music that demands an open mind -- and rewards the heart quite well. Magnificent.
  17. CDNow
    90
    One of the most stunning and gorgeous records of this young decade.
  18. Vibe
    70
    An optimistic and heartfelt album. [Aug 2002, p.165]
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Album of 2002
42
#42 Most Discussed Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 47
  3. Negative: 3 out of 47
  1. Ricko
    Nov 29, 2011
    7
    Pretty good overall. This has a few snore moments and a few genius moments. A bit like this band throughout their career in my view. It'sPretty good overall. This has a few snore moments and a few genius moments. A bit like this band throughout their career in my view. It's worth listening to this album just to hear Pounding. Great track.… Full Review »
  2. OnderO.
    Apr 9, 2008
    10
    This is the best Manchester dark band then joy divisions' lp's.
  3. GarryK.
    Oct 19, 2007
    10
    In my opinion one of the best albums ever made. There are so many great songs I can't possibly choose a favourite.
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